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[goldenambition]

Will hangs around the Inn, but if you wait long enough he'll probably come to you!

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[kingincognito]

[ There's plenty of need for it. If not for Will... Joshua couldn't have done it alone. The Phoenix couldn't have made a dent in what was going on. Clive would be dead, again, losing something else.

Emotions choke in Joshua's throat, and he reaches over to gently pull Will into a tight hug. It only lasts for a moment, but once he lets Will go, he takes him again - this time, his hands are on Will's temples, and he tips his head to press a kiss of gratitude to his forehead.

Not even thinking about it. He's just so overcome and grateful.

Once he's let Will go for good, he moves to get up from the bed - incredibly shaky, very weak, but he's doing his best. At least it isn't far to collapse to his knees next to Clive, putting his hands on his brother's arm. Flesh, again. No longer stone. ]

Clive... Brother, wake up.

[goldenambition]

[The hug is less surprising after the first one, but the gentle head kiss makes him turn a dusty pink, his ears drooping and his tail wagging slightly against the sheets.

He doesn't say anything, sliding out of bed after Joshua but on the other side to go and get that now probably too warm water]

[aneikonic]

[ The touch doesn't wake him immediately, but it does stop the snoring with a soft snort. For a moment longer he simply sits there, breathing gently as his consciousness slowly rises back to the surface. It's sluggish feeling, like wading through waist high muck, but eventually he's aware enough to grumble a soft denial at waking up. Must he?

Then his eyes snap open as everything comes back in a rush. His stupidity, his brother's sacrifice, Will saving them both from themselves and each other. He stares at Joshua for a long moment, like he's not seeing him, then moves to pull him into a hard hug, trying to crush him as gently as possible. ]

I'm sorry.

[ His voice is soft and wet again. ]

[kingincognito]

[ As Clive looks at him, Joshua's smile crumples just a little, tears flooding his eyes all over again. They only break to roll down his cheeks as Clive is tugging him in, and he grips his brother's back tightly, tucking his face into his neck. ]

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I couldn't let you go again. I panicked, I--

[ His voice is thick, ragged, still rough from the coughing and the vomiting. ]

Please don't do that again. Please.

[goldenambition]

[Will tries very hard to not overhear the brothers conversation, but his beastkin hearing makes it hard not to. Water acquired he chugs a glass before filling it and a second. He lingers, pretending to futz around a bit so they have time before carrying them over]

[aneikonic]

I won't. I won't...

[ And he won't. The risk isn't worth it, not anymore. That had been far too close, for such a simple thing as calling Garuda. And while Will had managed to pull it back now, there's no telling if it will work again.

He holds Joshua tightly, hiding his tears against his head, before glancing up to Will as he comes over. Though he's careful, that water might get spilled as unwinds his left arm from Joshua, keeping his right pressed tight into his back, and reaches up to snag Wills wrist.

Then pull him down into the embrace, holding him as tight as he holds his brother. ]

And you. I owe you the greatest debt. Without you...

[ They'd both be dead. ]

[kingincognito]

[ As Will gets tugged in, Joshua continues clinging to his brother, basking in the warmth and inhaling deeply to ground himself, to sear into his mind that everything is okay. That Clive is okay.

He's already said his thank yous to Will. And he might again in a moment, when he isn't quite so raw. But for now, he's taking this. ]

[goldenambition]

[The water doesn't get completely upended, but there's def some splashing]

Ack-! Clive...

[He doesn't pull away though, because he too feels a bit raw still. It was A Lot.]

You should drink.

[He huffs, tail lashing]

[aneikonic]

I will. In a moment.

[ Give him this, his voice says. Let him have this for a brief moment. Clive isn't as affectionate as Joshua, Will won't get any forehead kisses, but Clive does conk their heads together. Squeezes Will tightly.

And like Joshua he takes a moment to simply breathe. Closes his eyes and sits there with them in his arms, soaking in the fact they're all there. His arm is back.

Joshua was healed just enough by handing the blessing back over.

They can beat this.

Finally he pulls back just enough to take a cup and sip from it, making a face as he realizes his mouth was far more dry than he thought. ]

[kingincognito]

[ It's only when Clive finally moves to pull back that Joshua follows suit, lifting one of his hands to scrub at the tear tracks on his cheeks. Oh, water sounds so good... His mouth tastes awful. ]

Thank you, Will.

[ It's said with such warmth, a gentle smile. He takes the other glass, sipping slowly. His stomach is still so tender... he doesn't want to overdo it. Hopefully, it will pass. And if it doesn't... he will deal with it, as he always does. ]

[goldenambition]

I swear, both of ya making a bloke feel all flustered. Not used to all these thank yous.

[He clearly doesn't MIND it, though. He hasn't tried to stop it after all]

[aneikonic]

Best get used to it.

[ The flustering reminds him of Gav when they first met. "I'm just doing my job." It makes him chuckle a little, sipping at his water. ]

How are you both feeling?

[kingincognito]

[ To the question, Joshua groans around the rim of his cup of water. ]

Like a chocobo ground me into the floorboards at Martha's. But, I'm fine otherwise.

[ "I'm fine", of course, meaning any number of things. But-- ]

My stomach feels a bit tender, but I'll manage.

[goldenambition]

Starving and still a bit tapped. But I've felt worse after a bender.

[aneikonic]

Sounds like I owe you both dinner.

[ Something light and easy for Joshua, oats maybe and something meaty for Will. Unlike his brother, he downs his drink because his stomach is fine.

And he wonders a little over his arm. Will really cured it. ]

[kingincognito]

[ Dinner-- Founder, what time is it? How long was he out? ]

I'll... eat something. I may want to go easy, though.

[ Like Clive, he's thinking something like oats or broth. ]

[goldenambition]

[ Will sees you eying that hand Clive, and pulls it over to check himself. Gentle fingertips- he can't ease pain right now so he has to be extra careful]

All that retching musta done a number on your guts, pally.

[aneikonic]

Oats for you. We can soak them in milk, I've seen them in the kitchen.

[ He lets his hand be taken and offers Will a lopsided smile, his voice soft as he says it's fine. And for once, it is. Their combined effort may have made it feel like he was stuffing it into an acid lizards bile sac earlier, but now it's just numb. No pain, even after all that time. ]

Will, if you let me, I'll cook you something. I'm not that half bad at it.

[kingincognito]

I would be surprised if it didn't.

[ He offers Will a weak smile. He wouldn't be surprised if the petrification is in his stomach now, but they'll figure that out eventually, and he's not going to say that out loud anyway.

Though, he turns to glance at his brother, eyebrows raised. ]

You can cook?

[ Huh. He never knew. Clive must have picked it up in the years they were separated... ]

[goldenambition]

'If I let you' as if Whippoor is gonna take a chance to not work.

[He laughs softly at Joshua]

Aye, I've seen him in there putterin' around.

[aneikonic]

[ Wow, Joshua, unintended sass. He gives his brother a look that says he's about to retaliate as he opens his mouth, only for Will to call him out.

He sighs. ]

I know enough to be decent. Mostly meats and vegetables.

[ Which Joshua is going to recognize as being all their meals... Especially with Wills call out. ]

Why don't you two continue to rest a bit more. Will, I know you can't do anything else, and if you try I will knock you out but could you look-

[ He glances to Joshua. ]

[kingincognito]

[ HE DIDN'T MEAN IT HE LEGITIMATELY DIDN'T KNOW--

But ah. Yes. That's... all of their meals. Not that he's tired of them, he likes them, they're good and they have never once contained carrots. But he'd just assumed Clive had been collecting them from someone else and making sure to remove the carrots beforehand... ]

Oh.

[ The look on his face shows that he is very, very touched. His brother has been cooking for him this whole time... ]

[goldenambition]

Yea, I can take a look.

[He's Worried too, even if he can't do shit about it right now.]

You fine lettin' me poke around while your brother manifests food from nothin'?

[Just a little teasing]

[aneikonic]

[ That gets him to laugh and he pats their heads - both of them - gently as he gets to his feet. And laundry will be collected as he makes his way out of the room, so he can get that started too. ]

Behave, both of you.

[kingincognito]

Ah? O-oh, yes. Of course.

[ The question and the head pat both serve to break Joshua from his semi-awestruck, semi-embarrassed fluster, and he shakes his head, turning to watch his brother go. Clive really is too good to him...

Until he speaks as he's leaving, which makes Joshua's head tilt with a mildly confused smile. Of course they'll behave, he doubts either of them has the energy or the need to use magic or... whatever Will's abilities might be considered. ]

Thank you, Clive. We will.

[ And once Clive has left, he turns back to Will.]

Well. Do you need me on the bed to do an examination?